Hi everyone,
Sorry it's taken me a bit of time to update the blog. I've been going through a pretty significant life change in the past few weeks that is all of terrifying, deeply depressing, and exhilarating. It's the kind of life change that makes getting out of bed a challenge. I still have responsibilities, and I still have to keep living my life, I know that well. That said, when you go through a life shift, it takes the brain some time to catch up, and in my experience, a great deal of rest and relaxation is required to adapt. Old habits have to die and new ones be created, which takes a great deal of neural energy. New York City is not necessarily where I would recommend to travel for rejuvenating the spirit, but if you're here, and find yourself needing the space to breathe and listen to your own heart, here are some wonderful classes and places to go. Most of the classes are at the JCC, since I work and train there. Please comment below if you have other suggestions - I am always looking for new things to explore and discover!
Meditative Yoga with Richard Allon Tuesdays and Thursdays at the Jewish Community Center, 5:45-7:00pm, 334 Amsterdam Ave.
A true mental oasis, this hour and a quarter class not only releases tension, strengthens and stretches the body, but is taught in such an elegant and lovely way as to give you space to truly be with yourself. Richard, a long time yogi and meditator, brings a great deal of quiet, warm energy to the class, which becomes (unlike so many other yoga classes in this town, which seem far more competitive than uplifting) a twice weekly opportunity for self-discovery. He makes it a truly safe space, where it is absolutely acceptable to laugh hysterically, cry heartily, and "see what you see, hear what you hear, and feel what you feel" without judgement or criticism. It is always clear that it is "your class" and that it is fine to do your own thing, explore in your own way, sit when you want to, etc. This makes it an excellent class for all levels, and particularly beginners who want to experience yoga in a safe, deeply friendly environment.
Low Flying Trapeze with Julie Ludwick JCC Sundays at 1:30-2:45
While you wouldn't necessarily expect a trapeze class to be a place to go for rest and rejuvenation, Julie Ludwick's masterful teaching style makes this class the perfect place to reconnect with your soul while soaring (ok, well, for me, usually sliding) over the ground. A master teacher of Skinner Releasing Technique and an extraordinary artist and dancer, Julie makes this class an exercise in releasing your tension and habitual patterns, as well as an amazing way to learn tricks and skills on the trapeze. She has helped me find so much freedom in myself and my body, as well as given me the play-space to find I can do things I never thought I could. Like the yoga class above, this class is incredibly open and fun for all levels, from the absolute beginner to the experienced dancer. The releasing work is incredibly relaxing, and Julie constantly reminds you to be aware of what you can let go of in your body, and how you can relax into yourself. Julie is delightfully non-judgemental, and is very attuned to the individual needs of her students. (Last week, in the height of my rough time, she had me stop trapezing and lie down on a yoga mat for 20 minutes. As it turned out, this is exactly what I needed, and helped me enjoy the rest of the class so much more.) I highly recommend studying with her, especially if you never thought you could ever do trapeze. Trust me, if I can do it, anyone can, and you will get such a boost in confidence and joy when you realize that you too can fly! (Plus, it's an insane strength work-out - even after years of swimming, my shoulders have never looked more gorgeous!)
Alexander Technique with Hope Martin multiple locations, www.hopemartinstudio.com for details
Alexander Technique is less of a postural tool than a way of living in your body and finding its deepest potential for movement in ease and curiosity. There is no one I would rather study it with than Hope, a master Alexander and Buddhist meditation teacher. In each class, she brings such a delightfully curious spirit to the practice, and allows each student to connect to their own bodies and needs in their own way. She brings the deep Buddhist curiosity about the self to the class, and encourages each student to qualitatively connect to their habits and patterns without judgement or a need to change, simply encouraging awareness and consciousness. When it comes to relaxation and rejuvenation, not only is the technique all about relaxing into your self as it's supposed to be, but she teaches a miraculous tool that you can use every day to connect to your body, mind and spirit. I won't describe it, as I so deeply encourage learning it with Hope, but suffice it to say that I use it with many of my personal training clients, and those who actually take it on as a practice (myself included) have reported feeling a deeper sense of calm, awareness and happiness throughout their daily lives.
The Ramble, Central Park 73rd to 79th streets
The Ramble is one of those delicious secrets of the New York City park that if you are lucky to stumble upon, you will continue to come back for the rest of your life. A hidden gem of artfully overgrown trees, paths, and hiding places, the Ramble truly makes you feel as if you have left the city in favor of a day in the country side. You can wander there for hours, finding a hidden spot to rest, cry, breathe and rejuvenate your spirit. This area has a fascinating history, and is a truly precious spot to be with yourself for a while. The most fascinating part is arriving to a break in the trees, looking out over the lake, and realizing that you are only ever a few minutes walk from the one of the busiest metropolises on the planet.
Jennifer Pastiloff, Los Angeles based expert yoga teacher www.jenniferpastiloff.com
In interest of total honesty, I confess that I have never taken Jen's gentle yoga class, which I am absolutely positive would be a blissful way to connect to yourself and your spirit. However, I have taken her power yoga class, and while it wasn't what I'd describe as a restful class (I sweat more there then I ever have during a triathlon!) I found it to be one of the more rejuvenating experiences of my life. Jen is one of those rare teachers who you truly believe when she says "it doesn't matter how flexible you are, this class is all about finding out who you are right now." Her energy is unlike any you will probably encounter - she is warmth and joy embodied in a human form. The class is deeply laughter based, has amazing music, and is a wonderful and challenging way to forget what you are and find out who you can become. I highly recommend trying her class if you are LA based or in the area - she teaches at Equinox, at YogaCo (an incredibly cool donation based studio on the 3rd street promenade) and privately.
Finally, I am also going to use this opportunity to tell you about two more extraordinary teachers, who are LA based and do work over the phone. If you are in a place where you truly want to change your life, find your own sense of power and choice, connect to the things you want and let go of what you don't, there is no one I would recommend more highly than...
Jana and Miranda Saunders.
Jana and Miranda, a married team of transformational teachers, have the capacity to help you learn how to release subconscious patterns that define and control your life, allow you to connect to what you really need and want to live a happy and successful life, and help you find the tools to carry it out. I work with Jana privately, and since starting to work with him regularly about six months ago, I have gotten a job that I never would have dreamed of trying and am loving it, feel more confident and able to have a career as a theatre director than I could have imagined and am making strides that six months ago would have been unheard of, and have made unbelievable improvements in the major relationships in my life to the point that many are unrecognizable. Most importantly, I wake up almost every day feeling so excited to take on the world, feel so connected to who I really am, and I feel confident that I have everything I need to get what I want. On a level so profoundly basic it may sound trite, Jana actually taught me how to feel my feelings. While I have yet to work with Miranda, she is one of those people that the moment you talk to or meet her, you can feel what an incredible and wise being she is. I wouldn't hesitate to to recommend her to work with my closest friends and family, and I am positive that she is an absolute world changer.
If you feel like you really want to change your life, but don't know how to start, Jana and Miranda have the tools to get you on your path. I so highly recommend calling them or checking out their website for more information - they also lead transformational retreats to Mexico (the next one being May 1st through the 8th, which I will be attending and blogging about - I would so love you all to join me there! WOOHOO!)
www.discoversoulspa.com
I hope this list gives you some options to find what you need in these crazy towns. Until we meet again, may you find joy and live your radiance!
Katharine
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